Kids' Kayak Camp

This popular Kids Kayak & Conservation Camp is offered by the Mathews Maritime Foundation usually in August. Mobjack Kayaking is a co-sponsor of the camp. It is open to current middle school students, and the minimum age for participants is 10 years. Space is limited to 20 campers who must be able to swim, but no prior paddling experience is required. All children will be expected to participate in all activities, in and out of the water.

Kayaks launch from a cove off the East River in Bohannon. The land-based activities take place in and around the West Mathews Civic League building. The building provides shelter, air conditioning, restroom and indoor activity facilities. A path leads from the waterfront property to the Civic League.

Daily sessions begin at 8:30 AM and conclude at 4:30 PM. Campers must attend all 5 days of camp activities. The daily schedule will comprise of two segments, morning and afternoon. In the morning 10 campers learn kayaking skills while another group of ten participate in environmental, conservation and maritime activities. In the afternoon, the groups switch locations.

Day 1 - The launch site... kayaks and kids await a day on the waterDay 2 - By the second day, the kids felt like experienced kayakers, paddling on the East River. And playing water games and cooling off in the shallow waters.Day 3 - Birding and binoculars, learning about the Chesapeake Bay watershed with Ursula Lemanski, and water quality with May Sligh of DCR.Day 4 - Virginia Indian Maritime Heritage and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary teach water safety.
Woodworking instruction for birdhouses.